VanVleet always ready for the big guys

Fred VanVleet swears the kid was 7 feet tall. Joe Danforth, his stepdad and coach at the time, said the eighth-grader was 6-8, maybe 6-9.

Wichita State University basketball player Tekele Cotton claps after it was announced that WSU will be a number one seed in the tournament. (March 16, 2014)
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State University men's basketball coach Gregg Marshall, center, smiles after it was announced that WSU will be a number one seed in the tournament. (March 16, 2014)
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State University men's basketball coach Gregg Marshall, center, smiles after it was announced that WSU will be a number one seed in the tournament. (March 16, 2014)
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Wichita State University basketball players Cleanthony Early, left, and Fred VanVleet clap after it was announced that WSU will be a number one seed in the tournament. (March 16, 2014)
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State University basketball players Cleanthony Early, far left, and Fred VanVleet high-five each other while watching the CBS NCAA tournament selection show at Koch Arena Champions Club. WSU received a number one seed in the tournament for the first time in team history. (March 16, 2014)
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State University basketball players clap after it was announced that WSU will be a number one seed in the tournament. (March 16, 2014)
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Wichita State University's head coach Gregg Marshall's son Kellen Marshall raises his hands after it was announced that WSU will be a number one seed in the tournament. (March 16, 2014)
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Wichita State's Chadrack Lufile, Cleanthony Early and Ron Baker celebrate after the Shockers won the Missouri Valley Conference tournament for the first time since 1987 and moved their season record to 34-0.
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall cuts down the net after winning the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State's Cleanthony Early, Nick Wiggins and Chadrack Lufile, left to right, take a selfie after winning the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State celebrates as the defeat Indiana State in the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State Kadeem Coleby, Cleanthony Early and Tekele Cotton celebrate after winning the Missouri Valley tournament final against Indiana State.
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Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall raises his fist as his team holds up the championship trophy after winning the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State's Fred VanVleet puts in the reverse layup against Indiana State in the first half during the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State associate head coach Chris jans takes down a piece of the net after defeating Indiana State to win the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall hugs Ron Baker as he comes out the game against Indiana State during the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State's D.J. Bowles takes down a piece of the net as the Shockers celebrate their victory over Indiana State to win the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State coach Gregg Marsahall hugs Tekele Cotton as he comes out of the game against Indiana State during the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State's coach Gregg Marshall's daughter Maggie takes a selfie with player Zach Bush after the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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WSU's Cleanthony Early, left, and Ron Baker chase down a loose ball against Indiana State in the second half during the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall poses with his players Ron Baker, left, and Cleanthony Early after their victory in the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State's Cleanthony Early goes up to block a shot by Indiana State's jake Odum in the second half during the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall congratulates Ron Baker after their victory in the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall instructs his team against Indiana State in the first half during the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State's D. J. Bowles takes a selfie with teammate Zach Bush after the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State's Fred VanVleet drives on Indiana state in the first half during the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall shakes hands with his player Chadrack Lufile before his post game interview with CBS after the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State's Cleanthony Early congratulates Indiana State's Jake Odum after the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Shocker fans applaud their team at the end of the game with Indiana State at the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State's darius carter shoots over Indiana State's Justin gang in the first half during the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State's Evan Wessel, bottom dives for a loose ball against Indiana State Justin Gant during the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State's Darius Carter pulls down a rebound in front of the WSU fans against Indiana State in the first half during the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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WuShock leads the team onto the floor before their game with Indiana State during the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State's Ron Baker, Tekele Cotton and Fred VanVleet are the star guards for this year's team.
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Wichita State's Kadeem Coleby fights for a rebound against Indiana State during the Missouri Valley tournament final.
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Wichita State's Ron Baker takes a shot against Indiana State during the Missouri Valley tournament final.
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Wichita State's Tekele Cotton blocks a shot against Indiana State during the Missouri Valley tournament final.
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Wichita State's Evan Wessel cuts down a piece of net after the Missouri Valley tournament final against Indiana State.
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Wichita State Chadrack Lufile holds up a commemorative newspaper after the Missouri Valley tournament final against Indiana State.
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Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall gives a thumbs up to fans after the Missouri Valley tournament final against Indiana State.
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Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall is interviewed on television after winning the Missouri Valley tournament final against Indiana State.
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Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall and Indiana State's Greg Lansing visit with the officials during the Missouri Valley tournament final.
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall shouts instructions during the Missouri Valley tournament final against Indiana State.
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Wichita State's Evan Wessel, Ron Baker and Zach Bush take a selfie during the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State Athletic Direcor Eric Sexton gets congratulated by WSU president John Bardo after the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State's Darius Carter goes up for two against Indiana State in the first half during the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State's Fred VanVleet drives in for a reverse layup against Indiana State's Jake Kitchell (0) in the first half during the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State's Cleanthony Early congratulates Indiana State's Jake Odum after the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State's Cleanthony Early blocks a shot by Indiana State's Jake Kitchell in the first half during the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State's Cleanthony Early rebounds the ball against Indiana State in the first half during the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State's Cleanthony Early (11) and Chadrack Lufile battle for a rebound against Indiana State jun the second half during the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State's Fred VanVleet smiles after a big play towards the end of the game with Indiana State in the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State's Ron Baker celebrates as the Shockers defeat Indiana State in the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State's Ron Baker, Fred VanVleet and Cleanthony Early hold up the MVC trophy after the championship game against Indiana State at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State player celebrate as they defeat Indiana State in the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State Tekele Cotton gets congratulated by his teammates after being named the Tournament MVP after the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State fans react to coach Gregg Marshall cutting down the net after the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State's Tekele Cotton gestures after hitting a big three point shot in the second half during the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. He was the Tournament MVP. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State's Cleanthony Early and Kadeem Coleby salute the fans after winning the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall lets out a yell after cutting down the net after the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State's Cleanthony Early fights for a loose ball with Indiana State's Khristian Smith in the first half during the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State's Fred VanVleet drives to the basket against Indiana State's Jake Odum in the first half during the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
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Indiana State's Jack Odum drives to the basket against the Shockers in the second half on Sunday.
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State Cleanthony Early blocks the shot of Indiana State's Justin Gant on Sunday.
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Former Shocker and current New York Knick Toure Murry watches the game from the stands of the Scottrade Center on Sunday.
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State's Fred VanVleet celebrates a three-pointer during the second half against Indiana State.
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Wichita State's Ron Baker is fouled by Indiana State's Jake Odum during the second half on Sunday.
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Wichita State's Ron Baker drives to the basket during the second half on Sunday.
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Wichita State's Fred VanVleet takes a shot in the second half on Sunday.
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Wichita State's Ron Baker goes to the hoop against Indiana State's Jake Odum during the second half on Sunday.
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Indiana State's Jake Odum is fouled by Ron Baker during the first half of the MVC tournament on Sunday.
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State fans in the the Scottrade Center in St. Louis on Sunday.
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Wichita State's Chadrack Lufile celebrates after the Shockers won the Missouri Valley Conference title game against Indiana State on Sunday. The Shockers won the tournament for the first time since 1987 and moved their season record to 34-0.
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State's Ron Baker goes to the bench after getting hit in the eye during the first half of the Missouri Valley Conference title game against Indiana State on Sunday. The Shockers won the tournament for the first time since 1987 and moved their season record to 34-0.
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State's Tekele Cotton misses a dunk in the first half of the Missouri Valley Conference title game against Indiana State on Sunday. The Shockers won the tournament for the first time since 1987 and moved their season record to 34-0.
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State Tekele Cotton was named the Missouri Valley Conference tournament's MVP on Sunday.
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State's Fred VanVleet hits a three-pointer in the second half of the Missouri Valley Conference title game against Indiana State on Sunday. The Shockers won the tournament for the first time since 1987 and moved their season record to 34-0.
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State's Tekele Cotton hits a three-pointer in the second half of the Missouri Valley Conference title game against Indiana State on Sunday. The Shockers won the tournament for the first time since 1987 and moved their season record to 34-0.
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall waves to fans after his team won the Missouri Valley Conference tournament for the first time since 1987 and moved their season record to 34-0.
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State coach Gregg Marshal, along with players Ran Baker, Fred VanVleet and Cleanthony Early, hold up the Missouri Valley Conference tournament championship trophy. The Shockers won the tournament for the first time since 1987 and moved their season record to 34-0.
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State's Fred VanVleet signals a three-pointer in the second half of the Missouri Valley Conference tournament championship game in St. Louis. The Shockers won the tournament for the first time since 1987 and moved their season record to 34-0. The Shockers beat Indiana State 83-69.
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State's Ron Baker screams in the closing moments of the Missouri Valley Conference tournament championship game in St. Louis. The Shockers won the tournament for the first time since 1987 and moved their season record to 34-0. The Shockers beat Indiana State 83-69.
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State's Fred VanVleet hits a three pointers late in the Missouri Valley Conference tournament championship game in St. Louis. The Shockers won the tournament for the first time since 1987 and moved their season record to 34-0. The Shockers beat Indiana State 83-69.
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State's Fred VanVleet looks up and screams in the closing moments of the Missouri Valley Conference tournament championship game in St. Louis. The Shockers won the tournament for the first time since 1987 and moved their season record to 34-0. The Shockers beat Indiana State 83-69.
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State Chadrack Lufile hams it up for the cameras after his team won the Missouri Valley Conference tournament in St. Louis for the first time since 1987 and moved their season record to 34-0. The Shockers beat Indiana State 83-69.
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State's Tekele Cotton cuts a piece of net after his team won the Missouri Valley Conference tournament in St. Louis for the first time since 1987 and moved their season record to 34-0. The Shockers beat Indiana State 83-69 and Cotton was named the tournament MVP.
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall waves to fans after his team won the Missouri Valley Conference tournament in St. Louis for the first time since 1987 and moved their season record to 34-0.
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall waves the net around after his team won the Missouri Valley Conference tournament in St. Louis for the first time since 1987 and moved their season record to 34-0.
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall waves the net around after his team won the Missouri Valley Conference tournament in St. Louis for the first time since 1987 and moved their season record to 34-0.
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State's Tekele Cottongestures after hitting a big three point shot in the second half during the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. He was the Tournament MVP. (March 9, 2014)
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State's Cleanthony Early and Kadeem Coleby salute the fans after winning the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Saturday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State's Cleanthony Early, Nick Wiggins and Chadrack Lufile, left to right, take a selfie after winning the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Saturday. (March 9, 2014)
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall cuts down the net after winning the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Saturday. (March 9, 2014)
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall lets out a yell after cutting down the net after the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Saturday. (March 9, 2014)
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State's Cleanthony Early fights for a loose ball with Indiana State's Khristian Smith in the first half during the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Saturday. (March 9, 2014)
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State's Fred VanVleet drives to the basket against Indiana State's Jake Odum in the first halfduring the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Saturday. (March 9, 2014)
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Wichita State's Chadrack Lufile celebrates a basket against Indiana State during the first half of their Missouri Valley Conference tournament final at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis on Sunday.
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State's Tekele Cotton collides with Indiana State's Jake Odum during the first half of their Missouri Valley Conference tournament final at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis on Sunday.
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State's Fred VanVleet 923) and Darius Carter go after a rebound against Indiana State in the second half during the championship game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis Sunday. (March 9, 2014)
The Wichita Eagle

I recently visited Antarctica and, in advance of WSU's impending National Championship, I had these photos of me taken while ashore at Neko Harbour, Antarctica
Courtesy photo

I recently visited Antarctica and, in advance of WSU's impending National Championship, I had these photos of me taken while ashore at Neko Harbour, Antarctica
Courtesy photo

Haleigh,Santa and Wu Shock raising money and gathering toys for children at Christmas.

My wife and I enjoying our first Shocker game during this amazing undefeated season.Location: Koch ArenaDate: 2014-01-07

Wichita State fans were asked to "stripe the arena" by wearing either black or yellow depending on where they were sitting for the game against Indiana State. This was taken during the National Anthem. (January 18, 2014)
The Wichita Eagle

Fans hold a sign in the final moments of Wichita State's game against Indiana Statethat says "Still unde-VLEETed" referring to sophomore point guard Fred VanVleet. (January 18, 2014)
The Wichita Eagle

A Wichita State fan wears Shocker shades during the game against Bradley at Koch Arena. (January 12, 2014)
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WSU fans try to get Bradley to miss their free throws in the second half at Koch Arena Tuesday. WSU won 72-50. (Jan. 14, 2014)
The Wichita Eagle

A fan hold up a 16-0 sign for the undefeated Shockers at Koch Arena Wednesday. (Jan.8, 2014)
The Wichita Eagle

A Wichita State fan holds a 15-0 sign in the final seconds of their game against the University of Northern Iowa. WSU has set a new school record for most consecutive wins. (January 5, 2014)
The Wichita Eagle

WSU fans cheer on their team before the game with Northern Iowa at Koch Arena in Wichita, Ks., Sunday. (Jan. 5, 2014)
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State fans cheer after a basket by Evan Wessel against Davidson at Koch Arena. (December 29, 2013)
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State's Nick Wiggins shoots a three-pointer against Davidson during the first half on Sunday at Koch Arena.
The Wichita Eagle

WSU's Carl Hall dunks the ball against Gonzaga in the first half during the 3rd round of the NCAA Tournament in Salt Lake City Saturday. (March 23, 2013)
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State Shockers forward Carl Hall (22) cheers after scoring on a dunk in the third round of the NCAA tournament at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City. (March 23, 2013)
The Wichita Eagle

WSU's Cleanthony Early drives to the basket against Missouri State's Keith Pickens in the 1st half during the Missouri valley Tournament at the Scott Center in St. Louis Friday. (March 8, 2013)
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State Shockers forward Cleanthony Early (11) throws up his fingers after scoring a three-point feild goal in the third round of the NCAA tournament at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City. (March 23, 2013)
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State Shockers forward Cleanthony Early (11) sinks a three-point goal in the NCAA Tournament regional final at Staples Center in Los Angeles. At right is Ohio State Buckeyes forward Deshaun Thomas (1). WSU beat Ohio State and will advance to the Final Four in Atlanta. (March 30, 2013)
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State's Cleanthony Early holds up a piece of the net after The Shockers beat Ohio State in the West Regional Final on Saturday at Staples Center in Los Angeles. The Shockers punched a ticket to the Final Four for the first time since 1965. (March 30, 2013)
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State's Cleanthony Early celebrates a basket and a fould against Illinois State during the first half of their game at Koch Arena onTuesday. Wichita States, Darius Carter, middle and Ron Baker also defend.
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State's Chadrack Lufile blocks the shot of a Tennessee player at Intrust Bank Arena. The Shockers won 70-61 in front of 14,356 people.(December 14, 2013)
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State's Ron Baker is fired up as the Shockers make up a big deficit during the first half of their game at Koch Arena on Saturday
The Wichita Eagle

Southern Illinois forward Jalen Pendleton (1)and Wichita State University guard Tekele Cotton (32) scramble for the ball in the final seconds of the first half of their game. (February 9, 2014)
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State's Darius Carter dunks against Drake during the second half on Saturday at Koch Arena.
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State's Carl Hall laughs during a press conference at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Friday. (April 5, 2013)
The Wichita Eagle

WSU's carl hall pulls down a rebound against Detroit in the 1st half at Koch Arena in Wichita, Kansas Saturday. (Feb.23, 2013)
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State's Carl Hall holds up a piece of the net after The Shockers beat Ohio State in the West Regional Final on Saturday at Staples Center in Los Angeles. The Shockers punched a ticket to the Final Four for the first time since 1965. (March 30, 2013)
The Wichita Eagle

WSU's P.J. Couisnard gets by Evansville's Pieter Van Tongeren in the first half Tuesday for two points. Couisnard shot a career high of 25 points in his last game at Koch Arena.
fernando salazar

WSU senior P.J. Couisnard leaves the court after his last home game of the season Tuesday night.
Fernando Salazar/The Wichita Eag

Wichita State guard P.J. Couisnard (2) drives to the basket past Louisiana State forward Magnum Rolle in the first half of their basketball game in Baton Rouge, La. Saturday, Nov. 25, 2006.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP

WICHITA, KS - DECEMBER 1: WSU's Randy Burns left drives the ball into the lane around San Francisco's Dommanic Ingerson right in the first half of Wichita State's win 65-55 over San Francisco Dons at Charles Koch Arena on Wednesday December 1, 2004. PHOTO BY LARRY W. SMITH
Larry W. Smith

Wichita State's Sean Ogirri, right, goes up for a shot against Missouri State's Blake Ahearn during the first half of a college basketball game on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2006 in Springfield, Mo. Wichita State won 68-62. PHOTO BY TRAVIS HEYING, The Wichita Eagle

WSU's Chadrack Lufile, Carl Hall and Cleanthony Early hug as they celebrate after defeating Gonzaga 76-70 during the 3rd round of the NCAA Tournament in Salt Lake City Saturday. (March 23, 2013)
The Wichita Eagle

WSU senior J.T. Durley comes into Koch Arena with the NIT Championship trophy and get a standing ovation from the fans Friday. (April 1, 2011)
The Wichita Eagle

WICHITA, KS - NOVEMBER 10, 2008: WSU's J.T. Durley (31) dunks the ball in the second half of the Wichita State mens basketball game against Emporia State at Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kansas on Monday, November 10, 2008.
Larry W. Smith

WSU's Malcolm Armstead (2) drives on Illinois State's Johnny Hill in the first half during their semifinal game of the MVC Tournament at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis Saturday. (March 9, 2013)
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State's Toure Murry goes to the basket against VCU during the first half their NCAA tournament game at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. (March 14, 2012)
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State's Toure Murry celebrates as the Shockers start to pull away from The College of Chaleston in the 2nd half of their NIT quarterfinal game at Koch Arena in Wichita, Kansas Wednesday. WSU won 82-75.(March 23, 2011)
The Wichita Eagle

WSU's Clevin hannah gets fouled by Creighton's Josh Dotzler as he goes for a layup in the 2nd half.
Fernando Salazar/The Wichita Eag

WSU's Garrett Stutz (41) goes up for two against Ilinois State's John Wilkens in the 1st half of their semifinal game in the MVC Tournament in St. Louis Saturday. (March 3, 2012)
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State's Garrett Stutz takes part in a press conference at the Rose Garden in Portland on Wednesday. (March 14, 2012)
The Wichita Eagle

WSU's Graham Hatch drives to the lane against Bradley in the 2nd half at the MVC Tournament in St. Louis Friday. (March 4, 2011)
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall taks in the sights as his Shockers head out to the court to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes in the West Regional Final on Saturday at Staples Center in Los Angeles. The Shockers punched a ticket to the Final Four for the first time since 1965. (March 30, 2013)
The Wichita Eagle

Toure Murry celebrates on the bench as the seconds tick off the clock on Saturday afternoon at Charles Koch Arena. (Feb. 25, 2012)
The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State senior Jamar Howard, right, congratulates freshman P.J. Couisnard after Couisnard's three pointer late in the second half help put the game away against Illinois State Saturday night at Koch Arena. PHOTO BY TRAVIS HEYING, The Wichita Eagle

WICHITA, KS - JANUARY 26, 2005: WSU's Jamar Howard dunks the ball in the final seconds of WSU's win 76-65 over the Drake Bulldogs at Koch Arena on January 26, 2005 in Wichita, KS. Howard scored 27 points for a season high. PHOTO BY LARRY W. SMITH
Larry W. Smith

Wichita State coach Mark Turgeon waves the net to fans after it was cut down on Feb. 25 following the Shockers' win over Illinois State. Turgeon sent snippings of the net to former players. PHOTO BY TRAVIS HEYING, The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State coach Mark Turgeon yells at referee J.D. Collins after being called for his 2nd technical in overtime putting the game out of reach for the Shockers as they lose to Southern Illinois 80-72. Photo by fernando salazar
salazar

WSU's matt Braeuer, right, and teammate Sean Ogirri celebrate after Braeuer hit a three-pointer with half a second left to beat Creighton 62-61 Tuesday night. PHOTO BY FERNANDO SALAZAR, The Wichita eagle
salazar

Framed by a television photographer, WSU Head Coach Mark Turgeon responds to reporters questions during Media Day Monday at Levitt Arena. (Randy Tobias/Staff)
Tobias

Wichita State's Paul Miller stands tall over Southwest Missouri State's Nathan Bilyeu after Bilyeu took a shot in the chin in the second half. With MIller scoring 18, Wichita State won 72-61. PHOTO BY TRAVIS HEYING, The Wichita Eagle

Paul Miller takes a shot over Indiana State's Jay Tunnell during the first half Friday in St. Louis. Wichita state beat Indiana State 81-63 to advance to the semi-finals of the Missouri Valley Conference tournament. PHOTO BY TRAVIS HEYING, The Wichita Eagle

Wichita State's Paul Miller (45) shoots over Seton Hall's Grant Billmeier (33) in the first half of their NCAA First Round basketball tournament game at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C. Thursday, March 16, 2006. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
AP

Wichita State's Joe Ragland listens a question in a post-game press conference after the Shockers lost to VCU on Thursday at the Rose Garden in Portland. (March 14, 2012)
The Wichita Eagle

P.J. Couisnard throws down a dunk in the first half Sunday against Illinois State. Couisnard led the Shockers with 17 points in their 69-64 win.

Jamie Arnold was a versatile post player from 1993-97, scoring 1,046 points. But he was also in the doghouse of coaches Scott Thompson and Randy Smithson and was eventually dismissed from the team during his senior year.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Jamie Arnold was a versatile post player from 1993-97, scoring 1,046 points. But he was also in the doghouse of coaches Scott Thompson and Randy Smithson and was eventually dismissed from the team during his senior year.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Guard Jason Perez, inducted this season into the Shocker Sports Hall of Fame, is the only WSU player to be named Wichita Eagle MVP all four of his seasons (1996-2000).

Guard Jason Perez, inducted this season into the Shocker Sports Hall of Fame, is the only WSU player to be named Wichita Eagle MVP all four of his seasons (1996-2000).
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Forward John Cooper (1987-91) scored 1,153 points in his career and was averaging 20.8 points as a senior when he broke his foot during a game against Tennessee in Honolulu.

Forward John Cooper (1987-91) scored 1,153 points in his career and was averaging 20.8 points as a senior when he broke his foot during a game against Tennessee in Honolulu.

Forward John Cooper (1987-91) scored 1,153 points in his career and was averaging 20.8 points as a senior when he broke his foot during a game against Tennessee in Honolulu.

Center John Smith (1991-93) was a double-figure scorer in both his seasons before leaving the program.
The Wichita Eagle

Larry Callis was a workhorse forward with good rebounding skills. He was a two-year starter for coach Scott Thompson.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Point guard L.D. Swanson gained the reputation of being a clutch shooter when he made three game-winning shots for the Shockers during the 1994-95 season.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Wichita State's Maurice Evans dunks the ball in the first half against Florida A and M Saturday in Levitt Arena. tuttle photo
tuttle

Maurice Evans drives to the basket on Western Illinois player Shawn Doles in the first half Wednesday at Levitt Arena. tuttle photo
tuttle

Paul Guffrovich (1987-91) was a career 43.4-percent three-point shooter and scored 1,247 points.
The Wichita Eagle

Paul Guffrovich (1987-91) was a career 43.4-percent three-point shooter and scored 1,247 points.
The Wichita Eagle

Paul Guffrovich (1987-91) was a career 43.4-percent three-point shooter and scored 1,247 points.
The Wichita Eagle

Coach Randy Smithson talks with guard Terry Hankton during a 1996-97 game. Smithson was hired to help bring back the "MTXE" mentality that had led to his father, Gene's success in the early 1980s. Smithson lasted four seasons before being fired in 2000.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Forward Antoine Carr goes in for a dunk against Bradley in a 1981 game at Robertson Fieldhouse in Peoria, Ill. Jay Jackson (32) and Cliff Levingston, back, watch. The Shockers were 26-7 and won the Valley for the first time in five years, reaching the NCAA Tournament's Elite Eight.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

The nickname "Bookend Forwards" stuck to Cliff Levingston, left, and Antoine Carr. They made up one of the nation's top front-line combinations, leading the 1980-81 Shockers to the Elite Eight and the 1981-82 team to a No. 2 ranking.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Mike Jones takes the most legendary shot in Shocker history, a 25-footer that went in for the winning points in WSU's 66-65 victory over Kansas in the 1981 Midwest Regional semifinals at the Louisiana Superdome. Jones, a good player but not a star, made another long jumper moments earlier to keep WSU close.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Randy Smithson (1979-81) was a leader of the 1981 Elite Eight team. His two free throws helped seal a comeback win over Iowa in the Midwest Regional second round. He later coached WSU for four seasons.
The Wichita Eagle

Randy Smithson played three seasons and was known as a scrappy guard. His two free throws late in the game against Iowa helped seal a remarkable comeback in the 1981 NCAA Tournament second round at Levitt Arena.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Randy Smithson played three seasons and was known as a scrappy guard. His two free throws late in the game against Iowa helped seal a remarkable comeback in the 1981 NCAA Tournament second round at Levitt Arena.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Sasha Radunovich (1985-89) brought an European flare to the Shocker program. He averaged 12.2 points and had strong ball skills for a 6-foot-10 center.
The Wichita Eagle

Sasha Radunovich (1985-89) brought an European flare to the Shocker program. He averaged 12.2 points and had strong ball skills for a 6-foot-10 center.
The Wichita Eagle

Steve Grayer (1985-89) was an All-MVC forward in his senior season. He was a career 53.2-percent shooter.
The Wichita Eagle

Steve Grayer (1985-89) was an All-MVC forward in his senior season. He was a career 53.2-percent shooter.
The Wichita Eagle

Aubrey Sherrod (22) was one of WSU's finest outside shooters and came to the Shockers as a high school All-American from Heights. He averaged 15.1 career points and shot 49.3 percent in the era before the three-point shot.
The Wichita Eagle

Aubrey Sherrod, right, was one of WSU's finest outside shooters and came to the Shockers as a high school All-American from Heights. He averaged 15.1 career points and shot 49.3 percent in the era before the three-point shot.
The Wichita Eagle

Dwight Praylow puts up a layup in a 1987 game against Fordham. Praylow was part of three teams coached by Eddie Fogler that reached two NCAA Tournaments and one NIT.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Coach Eddie Fogler (1986-89) stayed three seasons, leading the Shockers to two NCAA Tournament appearances and an NIT appearance.

Aubrey Sherrod was one of WSU's finest outside shooters and came to the Shockers as a high school All-American from Heights. He averaged 15.1 career points and shot 49.3 percent in the era before the three-point shot.
The Wichita Eagle

Coach Eddie Fogler (1986-89) stayed three seasons, leading the Shockers to two NCAA Tournament appearances and an NIT appearance.

Terry Hankton was a steady point guard during Randy Smithson's first two seasons as coach (1996-98). The Shockers were one game above .500 each season, the program's only winning records during the 1990s.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Coach Eddie Fogler (1986-89) stayed three seasons, leading the Shockers to two NCAA Tournament appearances and an NIT appearance.

Coach Eddie Fogler (1986-89) stayed three seasons, leading the Shockers to two NCAA Tournament appearances and an NIT appearance.

Coach Gene Smithson, right, along with assistant Jeff Jones, led WSU from 1978-86 and ushered in one of the greatest eras of the program, recruiting players such as Antoine Carr, Cliff Levingston and Xavier McDaniel.
The Wichita Eagle

Gus Santos (1983-87) celebrates a 1984 win over Tulsa. Santos scored 1,278 career points and played in two NCAA Tournaments.
The Wichita Eagle

Ron Washington (1965-69) averaged 14.7 points over his career and ended as a 79.7-percent free-throw shooter.
The Wichita Eagle

Sophomore Warren Armstrong, left, and senior Kelly Pete during a photo session prior to the 1965-66 season. Pete helped WSU to the Final Four a year earlier, and Armstrong became a standout in his first season.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Dave Leach (1962-65) became so adept as a jump shooter that an area of the Roundhouse court was known as "Leach's Corner."
The Wichita Eagle

Dave Stallworth, right, is congratulated after is final Shocker game on Jan. 30, 1965.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

All-American Dave Stallworth receives gifts from the university after his final game on Jan. 30, 1965. Stallworth's eligibility ended before the second semester that season.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Dave Stallworth puts in a layup during is final Shocker game on Jan. 30, 1965, against Louisville. Stallworth's eligibility expired before the season's second semester began. A sign hanging in the background says, "Everybody's All-American."
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Ernie Moore (32) drives to the basket against Drake in 1964. Moore was one of the program's greatest point guards and led Wichita to the 1964 Valley title.
The Wichita Eagle

Two days after losing to Villanova at the National Invitational Tournament in New York, the 1962-63 Shocker team toured FBI headquarters and met then-director J. Edgar Hoover.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Calvin Bruton was a standout point guard from 1973-76.
The Wichita Eagle

Calvin Bruton (11) was a standout point guard from 1973-76.
The Wichita Eagle

Robert Gray (33) averaged 13.5 points as a senior on the 1976 NCAA Tournament team that won the Missouri Valley Conference.

Ron Harris goes up for a shot against Loyola during a Jan. 10, 1972 victory. Harris, a forward from Pittsburgh, averaged 16.9 points over three Shocker seasons.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Wichita State plays host to Creighton in a 1978 game at Levitt Arena.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Terry Benton, a 6-foot-8 center from East High, was one of the program's most prolific rebounders. He averaged 12.7 rebounds and 13.2 points over three seasons, earning All-MVC honors twice.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Vince Smith (1970-73) averaged 15.1 points and was a good ballhandler as a 6-foot-5 guard.
The Wichita Eagle

The 1964-65 Shockers reached the Final Four for the first time. Dave Stallworth (42) was the star until his eligibility ran out at midseason, and Nate Bowman (12) was lost at the same time because of ineligibility. Players such as Dave Leach (54), Jamie Thompson (32) and Kelly Pete (30) then led WSU to the Missouri Valley Conference title and Midwest Regional crown.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

The 1963-64 Shockers were 23-6 and earned the program's first NCAA Tournament bid as Missouri Valley Conference champion. They reached the Midwest Regional final before losing to Kansas State in the Roundhouse.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Coach Gary Thompson watches the action during a 1964-65 game. All-American Dave Stallworth is to his immediate right. Thompson took over for Ralph Miller before the season and led the Shockers to their first Final Four.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Gary Thompson was WSU's coach from 1964-71 and led the Shockers to their first Final Four trip in 1965, keeping the team together after All-American Dave Stallworth's eligibility ended at midseason.
The Wichita Eagle

Center Nate Bowman puts up a shot against Colorado in the second game of the 1963-64 season, a 71-61 Shocker victory. Bowman was a second-team All-MVC player.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Shocker Jamie Thompson dribbles to the baseline against Princeton in the third-place game at the 1965 Final Four in Portland, Ore. Teammate Kelly Pete (30) looks on. WSU lost to the Tigers 118-82 to finish fourth.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Jamie Thompson (1964-67) was a two-time All-MVC pick who averaged 22 points as a junior.
The Wichita Eagle

Jamie Thompson puts up a layup against Creighton in a 1966 game at the Roundhouse. Ron Washington (44) and Tom Busch (50) converge on the basket.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Jamie Thompson scored 1,359 points during his seasons (1964-67) and was a two-time All-Missouri Valley selection. He was also an 85.3-percent free-throw shooter.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Lanny Van Eman goes up for a layup during a 1960 loss to Ohio State at WU Field House. Van Eman was a Shocker standout guard from 1958-61.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

WSU fans attack the nets at Kansas State's Ahearn Field House in March 1965 after the Shockers defeated Oklahoma State 54-46 in the NCAA Midwest Regional final, clinching the university's first trip to the Final Four.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Warren Armstrong goes up for a shot against Loyola in 1967 as Roger McDowell (12) and Jamie Thompson, back, watch. Armstrong was an all-around standout and great leaper who scored 1,301 points over three seasons
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Warren Armstrong takes a rebound and puts it back in over a Texas Tech defender during a Dec. 18, 1965 game at the Roundhouse. Armstrong was a sophomore in his fourth varsity game, averaging 16.5 points for the 17-10 Shockers.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

The 1906 Shockers were the first team at Fairmount College. They won two games and lost four, playing home games in the basement of Fairmount Hall.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Francis Johnson was a three-sport star (basketball, football, track) at the university from 1931-34 and was a member of the U.S. team that won the first Olympic basketball gold medal at Berlin in 1936.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Gene Johnson coached only one year at WU (1932-33), then left because of a contract squabble. He later coached the 1936 Olympic team and is credited with developing the 2-2-1 zone press used by many successful coaches.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Ross McBurney was an All-American for the Shockers during the late 1920s.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Bill Hennigh was a Shocker captain during his career (1928-32).
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Members of the 1953-54 Shocker team have dinner in New York prior to the 1954 National Invitation Tournament at Madison Square Garden. Wichita was 27-4.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

The Forum, in downtown Wichita, was the home of WU basketball before WU Field House opened at 21st and Hillside in 1955.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Joe Stevens was a homegrown guard from North High who was a standout on Shocker teams of the late 1950s. He was inducted into the Shocker Sports Hall of Fame earlier this season.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Paul Scheer was a standout guard on Shocker teams of the early 1950s.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Shocker coach Ralph Miller talks with guard John Criss during a 1963-64 game. Miller left WU after the season for the University of Iowa.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

A look at WU Field House in the late 1950s. Increased popularity of Ralph Miller's program in the early '50s caused the university to look at building its own on-campus arena. The Roundhouse was viewed as a state-of-the-art facility when it opened in 1955.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

As Shocker basketball became more popular in the 1950s, university leaders saw a need for an on-campus arena. The university began building WU Field House, bottom, adjacent to football's Veterans Field and the basketball venue opened for the 1955-56 season.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

The 1953-54 Shockers were 27-4 and reached the National Invitational Tournament at Madison Square Garden. They were led by Cleo Littleton (13), Bob Hodgson (14) and Paul Scheer (3).
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

One of the Shockers' biggest wins of the 1950s was a 1956 game at Saint Louis, where Wichita won 109-103 in double overtime for its first win in Kiel Auditorium. Joe Stevens (22) battles the Billikens' Grady Smith for a loose ball as WU's Bob Hodgson (14) and Leo Carney (5) look on.
Courtesy WSU Athletic Media Relations

Fred VanVleet swears the kid was 7 feet tall. Joe Danforth, his stepdad and coach at the time, said the eighth-grader was 6-8, maybe 6-9.

VanVleet was an undersized fifth-grader playing up on his older brothers’ team in an eighth-grade tournament in Akron, Ohio.

“I didn’t come to the guy’s waist,” VanVleet said. “He was up there.”

The tall kid was getting physical with VanVleet’s brother, Darnell, who was about 5-10.

“He was throwing some elbows and goes up and dunks,” VanVleet said. “He and Darnell get in a bit of a scuffle, so I run in between them like I’m the big brother. I’m a little runt.”

Next thing he knew, someone snatched him out of harm’s way. He drew a technical for his efforts, but he had made his point.

“He was like a little chihuahua,” Danforth said. “There is no fear in Fred.”

No one has to explain that to anyone who has watched VanVleet play point guard for Wichita State. The 5-foot-11, 194-pound sophomore won’t back down or be intimidated.

Good qualities to have for a point guard of any size. And vital qualities to have in the NCAA Tournament when teams that thrive almost always have point guards who bring a feisty edge but keep their emotions in check.

VanVleet ranks fifth in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio, averaging 3.9 assists to every turnover. That speaks to the numbers of someone who knows how to make scoring happen without flinching.

But you need to understand how he got to that point.

VanVleet grew up in Rockford, Ill., which is not an easy place to grow up. A town of about 150,000 people and 85 miles northwest of Chicago, it still has double-digit unemployment percentages because of heavy losses in manufacturing jobs.

Before VanVleet’s ninth-grade year, one of his teammates was shot to death. VanVleet’s father was murdered when he 5.

As long as VanVleet can remember, Danforth has challenged him and his brothers when they faced a daunting opponent by saying, “What are they going to do you? Is he going to shoot you? Is he going to stab you?”

Tough talk.

“But it’s true,” VanVleet said.

Danforth is a 19-year veteran of Rockford’s police force. His beat for many of those years was at the housing development. He saw VanVleet’s boyhood friend die.

“You’re supposed to play as hard as you can. But if you love, it, you’ll have fun with it.”

Understand also that VanVleet didn’t always swallow Danforth’s advice easily or take to his coaching. In fact, he didn’t like the whole idea of Danforth marrying his mother, Susan, about five years after his father was shot to death.

“Me and my mom and brother were really tight for so long,” VanVleet said. “Darnell was my dad. He was taking complete care of me. Then my mom and Joe meet, and my life flips upside down.

“I hated that situation for a long time.”

He hated it when Danforth made him get up 5:30 each morning, so he could go practice basketball with his brothers. One of Danforth’s sons, J.D., was Darnell’s age and all three spent those early-morning hours in a gym under following the tough cop’s directions.

“Usually it was a YMCA gym, sometimes at an elementary,” VanVleet said. “Dad would find a way to make it happen no matter where it was.”

Notice he called him Dad. In talking about Danforth now, he mixes Dad and Joe, although he said he always addresses him as Joe. Things have changed between them over the years.

But when he was young, he resisted Danforth.

“I’m a guy who wants to roll the ball out and play five on five,” VanVleet said. “And this was structured drills, ball handling and all the hard stuff. I hated that stuff.

“I wanted to to just hoop.”

So sometimes he’d sneak off to a gym and play without Danforth around.

VanVleet played with his older brothers on Danforth’s Five-O team as a third grader through late in his sixth-grade year. Actually, he didn’t play much because he was not only two or three years younger, he was so small.

“I had to watch a lot,” VanVleet. “I rarely got in. Just sat on the bench.”

And that made him mad.

“I felt I was good enough,” he said, “but Joe always told me I was too little and I wasn’t ready.”

Just as Danforth wouldn’t let his sons play in pickup games and made them work hard at fundamental drills, he also was particular about who coached them.

“At the time, there weren’t a lot of good guys in the area who were doing teams for Fred’s age,” Danforth said. “They didn’t know what they hell they were doing. I didn’t want one of my boys being messed up, just someone rolling out a ball.”

VanVleet didn’t play on a team with boys his age until shortly before his seventh-grade year. Danforth approved of him playing for Antonio Davis, a former Bulls forward who coached an AAU team in Chicago that included his son, A.J., who now plays at Tennessee.

That opened the door for VanVleet to spend about six weeks each summer living with the Davises in Chicago, playing in AAU tournaments and loving every minute of it.

But he also began to realize that Danforth knew best.

“When I went back to playing with my peers,” VanVleet said, “I was way better because I was always playing tougher competition. It helped my confidence and made me better.”

He also figures all that sitting on the bench of Danforth’s team taught him the patience that helps in running a college offense at a high level.

“I think you can learn a lot by watching other people do well and mess up,” VanVleet said.

However, he had more tough lessons to learn.

VanVleet had a 3.5 grade-point average in high school and is still a strong student as a sociology major at WSU.

“He’s a smart kid,” Danforth said. “But one thing about smart kids is they don’t understand why others can’t keep up and do the things they do.”

All that patience VanVleet learned by sitting on the bench and shows on the court for the Shockers wasn’t there initially when he was playing with kids his age.

“I was frustrated with other kids because they weren’t up to par,” he said. “I wasn’t the best teammate I could be. I took the Kobe Bryant approach, getting in guys’ faces and yelling at them.

“Your friends don’t respond to things like that.”

So he backed off.

But he didn’t back down.

As a senior on an Auburn High team with all players under 6-foot, the Rockford school went 31-2 and finished third in the state for Illinois’ large-class schools.

To make state, Auburn had to beat a Chicago school stocked with kids in the 6-4 to 6-9 range. But then if VanVleet could take on a 7-footer as a fifth-grader, what’s a 6-9 kid as a senior?

“When you get put through the fire all the time at young age, guys pushing you around,” Danforth said, “you learn to be tough. Fred’s a gladiator, a warrior.”

But Danforth saw one more glitch that VanVleet needed to clean up in high school.

VanVleet has always been low key. Very low key.

“You guys think I’m calm now,” he said, “but until late in my junior year I showed zero emotion. I never smiled.”

When other players were stretching before tipoff, VanVleet stood there with his hands in his jerseys showing no expression.

“I was that calm,” he said. “That’s what I was feeling, so that’s what I was showing. It took my dad telling me, `Hey, recruiting is picking up. These guys might take things the wrong way.’

“He was just saying, ‘There’s a better way to show that calmness. Stop being too cool for school.’ That’s when I started getting more excited. I have to give him credit for that.”

Don’t expect to see any outbursts of emotion. If he shows any, it’ll be at the end of the game, “when I know we’re going to win.”

“You can be too emotional,” VanVleet said. “There’s a balance for everything.”

And his balance is now on display for the Shockers at the most high-pressured time of the year.

“You certainly don’t need a hot head at point guard, a guy who is going to lose his composure,” WSU coach Gregg Marshall said. “Fred is the antithesis of that.

“He’s solid, mature, steady. He’s not only good at getting himself to do the right things but at getting the rest of the guys to do the right thing.”

Danforth still drops reminders to VanVleet to make sure he stays on course. He delivered his shoot-stab message before last year’s tournament game against Ohio State, when VanVleet shared duties in going against defensive ace Aaron Craft.

VanVleet played well, Craft got into early foul trouble and the Shockers moved on to the Final Four.

“By my last year in high school, I began to appreciate what Joe was doing for me,” he said.

This tournament may bring challenges that the Shockers didn’t see last year, when they surprised the field.

“I expect everyone to be ready for us,” VanVleet said.

Scouts also know that the Shockers are at their best when he has the ball in his hands and directing the offense. Keeping the ball out of his hands by ganging up on him could throw WSU off its game.

To pull it off, a team would have to have enough good athletes to make it happen. Not something the Shockers saw during the season.

But the possibility of that strategy doesn’t concern VanVleet.

“We have a lot of talent,” he said. “If you want to play four on four, I’ll take our chances any day.

“If you want to take me out, we have a lot of guys who can score and do things on their own. But I’m not a guy who will go away easily.”